The Challenge

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

At a recent Benefice Service, we were challenged to consider how we might better engage with the wider community. It is important for a church to focus on creating a welcoming environment for those who come through its doors, but perhaps even more important to consider how its members might become a more effective voice in the wider world. It seems to me that this is one of the most important questions affecting Christians in the 21st century….how do we engage more effectivley with the wider world and put the Church at the centre of the community ?

Tags: Being Church, Engagement
Posted in Discussing Christianity, Food for Thought | 4 Comments »

The Good Samaritan Fears Legal Action

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

There is an alarming sense of unease growing within society throughout this country when faced with the dilemma of helping a stranded child or single female, for fear of being branded a ‘paedophile’ or ’sex offender’.

On GMTV this morning, it was announced that people are no longer playing the part of the Good Samaritan for fear of possible recrimination. Is there proof for this? Well, GMTV tested this theory and placed a stranded 7 year old girl outside a row of shops on a busy road in London, with cameras discretely placed out of sight, tasked with counting the number of people who walked past whilst the little girl shouted: “Mummy, mummy!” A staggering 43 people wandered past, many of whom did not even give the girl a second glance; some even rushing forward in the hope that if they moved away quickly enough the situation would resolve itself.

It took the shop owner, whose shop the girl was standing outside, 12 minutes of observing the girl in this state to finally take the plunge and go to the young child’s aid. Being interviewed moments later by GMTV, the gentleman admitted that he initially hoped a woman would stop and help her, thinking that it would appear inappropriate (or the image perhaps being misconstrued) for a man to approach an unaccompanied child in the street, despite the fact that she was calling for her mother and was visibly distressed. It took him 12 minutes to muster the courage to step outside his shop door and approach the child. The footage recorded by GMTV spoke volumes from the visible distance he maintained from her even as he asked if she was okay and more so by the sheer number of people who walked on by and paid no attention.

What saddened me even further was the report that a two year old girl had managed to find her way out of her day-care nursery in Warwick and was left wandering the streets alone. A builder working on scaffolding on a nearby construction site observed the child wandering aimlessly but said he did not want to approach her for fear of being labelled a paedophile. The girl was allowed to walk by and disappear around the corner. Several hours later her body was discovered in a pond a short distance from where the builder was working.

If this is the future of our society, what does this say about our own concern over how others perceive our actions, as opposed to the honest and helpful nature in which they are offered? How far would you go to do the right thing when a child is stranded or calling for help?

Tags: good samaritan, helping people
Posted in Discussing Christianity, Food for Thought | 1 Comment »

What Is The Point Of Being A Christian?

Friday, September 12th, 2008

A six week course exploring the truth that Christianity points us to God will start next month, with 6 meetings scheduled in October, November and December. The discussion group will look closely at the book published by Timothy Radcliffe, entitled ‘What is the Point of Being a Christian’.

Timothy Radcliffe is in demand the world over with Bishops, priests, lay people and above all young people. In this book, Radcliffe has assembled the best of his addresses he has given over the last three years. A man with strong liberal instincts, he has held high office in the Roman Catholic Church and has a profound respect for the authority and teaching charisma of his Church. With political sympathies to the left of centre, he shows himself in this book to be passionately concerned with issues relating to the environment, globalisation and the pastoral care of the marginalised and dispossessed.

Shot through with humour, friendship and wisdom, the pages of this book outline a manner of living which is at once faithful to the teachings of Jesus and rooted in the tradition of the church and at the same time responsive to the turbulance of the modern world.

Autumn Study & Discussion Group 2008

On Mondays at 39 Bicham Road, Reepham @ 7.45-9.45pm

1. October 20th: Introduction… Hope
2. November 3rd: Freedom and Happiness
3. November 10th: Courage
4. November 17th: Truthfulness
5. November 24th: Unity of Humanity
6. December 1st: Healing and Rest

If you are interested and would like to attend, please let Sue Page know: 01603 870886. You can also email Sue for more information at: suep@reephambenefice.org.uk. Books are available through Sue at the price of £11.99 or alternatively a few copies can be borrowed through the library.

It is also hoped that as the group meets, they can comment on their thoughts about the topics and issues raised during the groups on this blog. Or, indeed, if you have a contribution to make on the subject of ‘what is the point of being a Christian’ we would welcome your contribution. If you are not from the local area, but would still like to engage, why not read the book for yourself and engage with us here with your thoughts on Timothy Radcliffe’s approach to living the Christian life in the modern world.  

Tags: christian living, courage, study group
Posted in Discussing Christianity, Food for Thought | 3 Comments »

New Benefice Website

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

Reepham Benefice is currently in the process of developing a new website. The official launch date of our website will be on November 11th 2008 at a special service held at St Mary’s Church, Reepham.

This blog will become a place where the community, both local and international, can come together to discuss a range of topics. If you have any suggestions or would like to help with the development of the new website, please contact the Rector, Christopher Morgan-Cromar at: rector@reephambenefice.org.uk

Please feel free to tell us what you would like to see on the website, what you think of the blog and how the website can be used to communicate with the wider community – leave us a comment on this blog by clicking on the ‘New Benefice Website’ title above and completing the form at the bottom of the page.

Tags: communication, Website
Posted in Website | 2 Comments »